Guide apparatus for container cells



Nov. 19, 1963 c. M. GARLAND ETAL 3,111,212

GUIDE APPARATUS FDR CONTAINER CELLS Filed Sept. 27, 1961 I 4Sheets-Sheet 1 F? i @a Z INVENTORS fir/isfopfier M Gar/000 [diva/'0 B.Wa//ace Dona/0 m 37% BY (be/7 Min; Lin

Wygmm Nov. 19, 1963 c. M. GARLAND ETAL 3,111,212

GUIDE APPARATUS FOR CONTAINER CELLS Filed Sept. 27, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet2 INVENTORS Chm/0,06 M ar/cmo 0W0/0/ 5. Wa//ace Dona/d I44 P/f/s BY(fie/7 Mm Lin may @XITORNEY 1963 c. M. GARLAND ETAL 3,111,212

GUIDE APPARATUS FOR CONTAINER CELLS Filed Sept. 27, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet3 INVENTORS ZW V 1963 c. M. GARLAND ETAL 3, 12

GUIDE APPARATUS FOR CONTAINER CELLS Filed Sept. 27, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet4 INVENTORS E ATTORNEY United States Patent 0 SUEDE APFRARATUS FORCGNTAKNER CELLS Christopher Garland, Redwood Qty, dward E. Wah lace,Golds-ind, Donald W. Pitts, Novato, Chen Ming Lin, den Francisco,Caliii, assign'ors to Bethle= hem Steel Company, a corporation ot FiledSept. 27, 1%1, No. 141,11e 25 Qlairns. (El. 193-38) This inventionrelates generally to vessels adapted to carry cargo in stacked containerunits in container cells in the several holds, and specifically tocontainer guide apparatus arranged about the perimeter of the holdadjacent the hatch coarning and cooperating to guide the container unitsinto their proper positions over the cells of the cargo hold andfacilitating their entry into the cells of the cargo hold.

Briefly, this invention comprises ramps adjacent the perimeter of thehold sloping down towards the cells and adapted to be rotatedselectively into or out of operative guiding relation with one ofseveral selective cells of the same hold or of adjacent holds. Theseramps are further adapted in several ways to be removed from operativeguiding relation with their respective cells out of the way or the hatchcovers after the cargo holds have been filled with container units.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide container guideapparatus arranged about the perimeter of a ships cargo hold adjacentthe hatch coarning and cooperating to guide container units into theirproper positions over the cells of the cargo hold and facilitating theirentry into the cells of the cargo hold.

Another object of this invention is to provide container guide apparatusadapted to be rotated selectively into or out of operative guidingrelation with one of several selective cells of the same hold or ofadjacent holds.

A further object of this invention is to provide container guideapparatus adapted to be removed from operative guiding relation with thecontainer cells out of the Way of the hatch covers after the cargo holdshave been filled with container units.

Other and further objects of this invention will become apparent duringthe course of the following description.

Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent likeparts in the several views:

PEG. 1 represents a view in plan or a typical cargo hold, and part of anadjacent cargo hold, showing the container cells therein and the generaldisposition of the container guide apparatus and, further, showing inphantom the container units in the cells.

FIG. 2 represents an enlarged partially diagrammatic section taken alongthe line 2-2 of HQ. -1, showing in phantom outline the location of twooutside container guide units relative to the hatch coarning and to thecorner of the cell.

PEG. 3 represents an enlarged view in elevation of an inside containerguide unit between adjacent cells of the same cargo hold, showing thesaid guide unit in operative guiding relation with the left-hand cell.

FIG. 4 represents an enlarged view in plan of the inside container guideunit of FIG. 3, showing the container already loaded in the right-handcell, and showing in phantom outline the container to be loaded in thelefthand cell, and further showing in phantom outline the position ofthis guide unit in non-operative position between adjacent cells.

FIG. 5 represents an enlarged view in elevation of the inside containerguide unit of FIG. 3, showing the same in position just before it isremoved below the level of the hatch coaming, and showing in phantomoutline the final position thereof after it has been folded below thehatch coaming.

PEG. 6 represents an enlarged section taken along the line 6-6 of FIG.3, showing in detail the notched lockplate and the keys associated withthe shafit of the guide unit and engageable therewith.

FIG. 7 represents an enlarged partially diagrammatic section taken alongthe line '77 of FIG. 1, showing in phantom outline the location of anoutside container guide unit and an inside container guide unit relativeto each other, to the hatch coaming and to the corner of a containercell.

FIG. 8 represents an enlarged View in elevation of a modified insidecontainer guide unit, taken dong the line of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 represents an enlarged view in elevation of the modified insidecontainer guide unit of FIG. 8 between adjacent cells of the same cargohold, showing the moditied guide unit in operative guiding relation withthe lefthand cell.

FEG. 10 represents an enlarged view in plan of the modified containerguide of FIGS. 8 and 9, showing the same in operative guiding relationwith the left-hand cell, showing in phantom outline the position of theguide unit when it is placed in operative guiding relation with theright-hand cell.

' 11 represents an enlarged partially diagrammatic view in elevation oftwo adjacent cells of the same cargo hold, showing in phantom outlinethe two positions of the modified inside container guide unit when inoperative guiding relation with the two adjacent cells, and further unitassociated with the righthand cell.

12 represents an enlarged section in elevation, taken along the line12-12 of FIG. 13 of an outside container guide unit between cells ofadjacent cargo holds, showing the same in operative guiding relationwith the left-hand cell.

FIG. 13 represents an enlarged partially diagrammatic view in plan ofthe outside container guide unit of FIG. 12, showing in solid outlinethe same in the position of operative guiding relation correspondingwith Fl". 12, and showing in phantom outline three other positions ofthe guide unit, the phantom outline opposite the solid outline showingthe position of the guide unit when in operative guiding relation withthe cell of the right-hand cargo hold of FIG. 12, and the phantomoutlines at right angles to the solid outline showing alternativenon-operative positions of this guide unit.

FIG. 14 represents an enlarged partially diagrammatic section of theoutside container guide unit, taken along the line ld-l4 of HS. 12,showing in phantom outline the position of the guide unit when raised tounlock the key from the locking plate prior to rotating said guide unit.

PEG. 15 represents an enlarged section in plan, taken along the linel515 of FIG. 12, showing the key locked in one of the notches of thelocking plate.

There is shown in PEG. 1 typical ship structure comprising cargo holds 1and 2 defined by hatch coaming 3 and coarning members 4.

Guide angles 5, which may be tapered at their upper ends as at s, aresecured in cargo holds 1 and 2 in such manner as to define containercells '7, 8, 9, 1t}, 11 and 12 into which container units may be loweredand stacked.

Outside container guide units 14 are mounted to warning members 4adjacent the perimeters of the several cargo holds, and inside containerguide units 15' are mounted between adjacent guide angles The insidecontainer guide units 15 are shown in greater detail in Fifi-S. 3-6.Ramp element 16 consists of inclined plate 17, web 18 and plate 19, andis pivotally mounted at 2% to base block 21. Shaft 22 is secured to baseblock 21 and extends through, in vertically movable snowing in phantomoutline an outside container guide relation with, locking plate 23 andplate 24, said plates 23 and 24 being secured between adjacent guideangles 5. Keys 25' on shaft are insertahl-e in notches it of lockingplate 23 in several selective positions. Pin 27 passes through the lowerportion of shaft 22 to prevent complete removal thereof, but permitssufficient vertical motion thereof to permit the same to be raised tocompletely withdraw keys 25 from the notches 26 and to be rotated andlowered and locked in another selected position.

It will readily be seen that inside container guide unit 15 can belifted, rotated and lowered and locked to present ramp element 16 inoperative guiding relation with either of the adjacent container ce isor to the position shown in FIG. 5. In this latter condition, rampelement 16 can be pivoted down and out of the way of the hatch coverabout pivot 29 to the position shown in phantom outline, lip 28 of theweb l bearing against plate Hole 29 in web 18 permits insertion of ahook or the like to elevate ramp element 16 to the position shown insolid ou line in FIG. 5.

In the modified inside container guide unit shown in detail in FlGS.8-11, ramp element St? is secured to rectangular shaft 31 which extendsthrough rectangular openings 32 in spaced plates 33, which latter aresecured to guide angles 5. Chain 34 is secured at one end to one of theguide angles 5 and at the other end to the bottom of shaft 31.

It will readily be seen that the modified inside container guide unit 15can be lifted out of spaced plates 33 and reinserted in another positionto present ramp element 39 in operative guiding relation with either ofthe adjacent container cells. When not in use, said modified insidecontainer guide 15' can be completely withdrawn from spaced plates 33and left suspended by chain 34 between guide angles 5.

The outside container guide unit EA is shown in greater detail in FIGS.12-15. Ramp element 35', provided with sloping face 36, stiffening web3'1, base 38 and shaft opening 39, is rotatably mounted on shaft 49.

Shaft 4% is secured to coaming member 4 and is provided with enlargedbase portion 1 1 with notches 42 therein oriented as shown in FIGS.l2l5. Key 43, secured to ramp element 35, is insertable in notches 42 inseveral selective positions. Shaft all is provided with circumferentialslot 44 of width exceeding the vertical dimension of key 43. Bolt 45,secured to ramp element 35, extends into said circumferential slot 44,preventing complete removal of ramp element 35 from shaft 49, butpermitting suflicient vertical motion thereof to permit the same to beraised to completely withdraw key 43 from notches 4-2 and to be rotatedand lowered and locked in other selected position.

It will readily be seen that outside container guide unit 14 can belifted, preferably by recesses 4-6 providing suitable hand-holds,rotated, lowered and locked to present sloping face 36 in operativeguiding relation with container cells of either adjacent cargo hold 1 or2, or to a position parallel with the edge of the cargo holds. In thislatter inoperative position, the relatively narrow outside containerguide unit 14 fits between adjacent hatch covers (not shown) and doesnot interfere with their operation.

In the employment of outside container guide units 14 and insidecontainer guide units 15 or 15', the same are placed in operativeguiding relation with the container cell being loaded. As the containerunits 13 are lowered, said container guide units 14- and 15 or 15'cooperate to guide them into their proper positions over the said cellfacilitating their entry into said cells. When one cell has been loaded,the container guide units are placed in operative guiding relation withan adjacent cell for the same purpose. Thereafter, the container guideunits are removed from operating guiding relation with the said cell, soas not interfere with the hatch covers when the latter are closed overthe cargo holds.

Although we have shown and described our invention in considerabledetail, we do not wish to be limited to the exact construction shown anddescribed, but may use such substitutions, modifications or equivalentsthereof as are embraced within the scope of the invention or as pointedout in the claims.

We claim:

1. in combination with a container cell, container guide apparatuscomprising ramp means sloping downwardly towards said container cell andarranged adjacent the p eter of said container cell, shaft meansmounting said ramp means for rotation in a horizontal plane, key meansand notched locking plate means associated with said container guideapparatus providing a plurality of selective fixed ho ontal positions ofsaid ramp means relative to said co. a'ner cell including a position inwhich said ramp means is held in operative guiding relation with saidcontainer cell and a position in which said ramp means is held out ofoperative guiding relation with said container cell.

2. Apparatus as in claim 1, further including pivot means mounting saidramp means for rotation in a vertical plane to a position in which saidramp means is in the container cell below the level of the top thereofor selectively to a position in which the ramp means extends above thelevel of the top of the container cell.

3. In combination with a container cell, container guide apparatuscomprising ramp means sloping downwardly towards said container cell andarranged adjacent the perimeter of said container cell, a verticallydisposed shaft opening in s id ramp means, a vertically disposed shaftsecured to the perimeter of said container cell and extending into saidshaft opening, a key secured to said ramp means, and a locking plateadjacent said shaft and provided with a plurality of notches adapted toreceive said key in a plurality of selective positions, including aposition in which said ramp means is held in operative guiding relationwith said container cell or selectively a position in which said rampmeans is held out of operative guiding relation with said containercell.

4. Apparatus as in claim 3, further including a circumferential slot insaid shaft, and bolt means secured to said ramp means and extending intosaid circumferential slot, whereby vertical motion of said ramp means isheld within predetermined limits.

5. In combination with a container cell, container guide apparatuscomprising ramp means sloping downwardly towards said container cell andarranged adjacent the perimeter of said container cell, a verticaldisposed shaft opening in said ramp means, a vertically disposed shaftsecured to the perimeter of said container cell and extending into saidshaft opening, a key secured to the lower portion of said ramp means,and a locking plate arranged around the shaft and provided with aplurality of radially spaced notches adapted to receive said key in aplurality of selective positions including a position in which said rampmeans is held in operative guiding relation with said container cell orselectively a position in which said ramp means is held out of operativeguiding relation with said container cell.

6. Apparatus as in claim 5, further including a slot extendingcompletely around the periphery of said shaft, the width of said slotexceeding the vertical dimension of said key, and bolt means secured tosaid ram-p means extending into said shaft opening and slot.

7. In combination with a container cell, container guide apparatuscomprising ramp means, a base plate, pivot means mounting said rampmeans to said base plate for rotation in a vertical plane to a positionin which said ramp means is in said container cell below the level'ofthe top thereof or selectively to a position in which said ramp meansextends above the level of the top of said container cell, shaft meanssecured to the lower portion of said base plate, and shaft receivingmeans secured to the perimeter of said container cell and slidablyreceiving said shaft means for rotation in a horizontal plane.

8. Apparatus as in claim 7, said shaft receiving means comprising anotched plate, said apparatus further including key means secured tosaid shaft means and insertable in aplurality of selective positions insaid notched plate whereby said ramp means is held in operative guidingrelation with said container cell or selectively out of operativeguiding relation with said container cell.

9. Apparatus as in claim 8, further including locking means secured tosaid shaft means below and engageable with said shaft receiving means.

10. In combination with a container cell, container guide apparatuscomprising ram-p means, a square shaft secured to the lower portion ofsaid ramp means, and shaft receiving means securedto the perimeter ofsaid container cell and provided with square openings therein slidablyreceiving said square shaft, whereby said ramp means is held inoperative guiding relation with said Container cell or selectively outof operative guiding relation with said container cell.

11. In combination with a pair of adjacent first and second containercells, container guide apparatus operatively associated with said firstcontainer cell or selectively with said second container cell orselectively with neither said first nor said second container cellcomprising sloping ramp means, and means mounting said ramp meansbetween said first and second container cell-s for rotation in ahorizontal plane to a position in which said ramp means is in operativeguiding relation with said first container cell or selectively to aposition in which said ramp means is in operative guiding relation withsaid second container cell or selectively to a position in which saidramp means is not in operative guiding relation with said first andsecond container cells.

12. Apparatus as in claim 11, further including pivot means mountingsaid ramp means for rotation in a vertical plane to a position in whichsaid ramp means is below the level of the tops of the first and secondcontainer cells or selectively to a position in which the ramp meansextends above the level of the tops of the first and second containercells.

13. Apparatus as in claim 11, further including pivot means mountingsaid ramp means for rotation in a vertical plane to a position in whichsaid ramp means lies between the first and second container cells belowthe level of the tops thereof to a position in which said ramp meansextends above the level of the tops of said first and second containercells.

14. In combination with a pair of adjacent first and second containercells, container guide apparatus operatively associated with said firstcontainer cell or selectively with said second container cell orselectively with neither said first nor second container cellscomprising sloping ramp means, shaft means mounting said ramp meansbetween said first and second container cells for rotation in ahorizontal plane, key means and notch means associated with saidcontainer guide apparatus providing a plurality of selective fixedhorizontal positions of said ramp means relative to said first andsecond container cells including a position in which said ramp means isheld in operative guiding relation with said first container cell orselectively a position in which said ramp means is held in operativeguiding relation with said second container cell or selectively aposition in which said ramp means is held out of operative guidingrelation with both said first and second container cells.

'15. Apparatus as in claim 14, further including pivot means mountingsaid ramp means for rotation in a vertical plane to a position in whichsaid ramp means is below the level of the tops of said first and secondcontainer cells or selectively to a position in which said ramp meansextends above the level of the tops of said first and second containercells.

16. Apparatus as in claim 14, further including pivot means mountingsaid ramp means for rotation in a vertical plane to a position in whichsaid ramp means lies between said first and second container cells'beloW the levels of the tops thereof or selectively to a position inwhich said ramp means extends above the level of the tops of said firstand second container cells.

17. In combination with a pair of adjacent first and second containercells, container guide apparatus operatively associated with said firstcontainer cell or selectively with said second container cell orselectively with neither said first nor second container cellsComprising sloping ramp means, a Vertically disposed shaft opening insaid ramp means, a vertically disposed shaft secured between said firstand second container cells and extending into said shaft opening, a keysecured to said ramp means, and a locking plate adjacent said shaft andprovided with a plurality of notches adapted to receive said key in aplurality of selective positions, including a position in which saidramp means is held in operative guiding relation with said firstcontainer cell or selectively a position in which said ramp means isheld in operative guiding relation with said second container cell orselectively a position in which said ramp means is held out of operativeguiding relation with said first and second container cells.

18. Apparatus as in claim 17, further including a circumferential slotin said shaft, and bolt means secured to said ramp means and extendinginto said circumferential slot, whereby vertical motion of said rampmeans is held within predetermined limits.

19. In combination with a pair of adjacent first and second containercells, container guide apparatus operatively associated with said firstcontainer cell or selectively with said second container cell orselectively with neither said first nor second container cellscomprising sloping ramp means, a vertically disposed shaft opening insaid ramp means, a vertically disposed shaft secured between said firstand second container cells and extending into said shaft opening, a keysecured to the lower portion of said ramp means, and a locking platearranged around the shaft and provided with a plurality of radiallyspaced notches adapted to receive said key in a plurality of selectivepositions including a position in which said ramp means is held inoperative guiding relationwith said rst container cell or selectively aposition in which said ramp means is held in operative guiding relationwith said second container cell or selectively a position in which saidramp means is held out of operative guiding relation with said first andsecond container cells.

20. Apparatus as in claim 19, further including a slot extendingcompletely around the periphery of said shaft, the width of said slotexceeding the vertical dimension of said key, and bolt means secured tosaid ramp means extending into said shaft opening and slot.

21. In combination with a pair of adjacent first and second containercells, container guide apparatus operatively associated with said firstcontainer cell or selectively with said second container cell orselectively with neither said first nor said second container cellcomprising sloping ramp means, a base plate, pivot means mounting saidramp means to said base plate for rotation in a vertical plane to aposition in which said ramp means lies between said first and secondcontainer cells below the level of the tops thereof or selectively to aposition in which said ramp means extends above the level of the tops ofsaid first and second container cells, shaft means secured to the lowerportion of said base plate, and shaft receiving means secured betweensaid first and second container cells and slidably receiving said shaftmeans for rotation in a horizontal plane.

22. Apparatus as in claim 21, said shaft receiving means comprising anotched plate, said apparatus further including key means secured tosaid shaft means and insertable in a plurality of selective positions insaid notched plate whereby said ramp means is held in operative guidingrelation with said first container cell or 7 selectively is held inoperative guiding relation with said second container cell orselectively is held out of openative guiding relation with said firstand second container cells.

23. Apparatus as in claim 22, further including locking means secured tosaid shaft means below and engageable with said shaft receiving means.

24. In combination with a pair of adjacent first and second containercells, container guide apparatus operatively associated with said firstcontainer cell or selectively with said second container cell orselectively with neither said first nor said second container cell,comprising sloping ramp means, a square shaft secured to the lowerportion of said ramp means, and shaft receiving means mounted betweensaid first and second container cells and provided with square openingstherein slidab ly receiving said square shaft, whereby said ramp meansis held in operative guiding relation With said first container cell orselectively in operative guiding relation (5 with said second containercell or selectively out of opera\ tive guiding relation with said firstand second container cells.

25. in combination with a container cell, container guide apparatuscomprising ramp means, and shaft means interposed between the perimeterof said container cell and said ramp means, said shaft means providing avertical axis for horizontal rotation of said ramp means to a positionin which said ramp means is in operative guiding relation with saidcontainer cell or selectively to a position in which said ramp means isout of operative guiding relation with said container cell, saidvertical axis lying at least partially within the horizontally projectedperimeter of said ramp means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS3,042,227 Tantlinger July 3, 1962

11. IN COMBINATION WITH A PAIR OF ADJACENT FIRST AND SECOND CONTAINERCELLS, CONTAINER GUIDE APPARATUS OPERATIVELY ASSOCIATED WITH SAID FIRSTCONTAINER CELL OR SELECTIVELY WITH SAID SECOND CONTAINER CELL ORSELECTIVELY WITH NEITHER SAID FIRST NOR SAID SECOND CONTAINER CELLCOMPRISING SLOPING RAMP MEANS, AND MEANS MOUNTING SAID RAMP MEANSBETWEEN SAID FIRST AND SECOND CONTAINER CELLS FOR ROTATION IN AHORIZONTAL PLANE TO A POSITION IN WHICH SAID RAMP MEANS IS IN OPERATIVEGUIDING RELATION WITH SAID FIRST CON-